Community Health Worker

Position Overview: The VCU Health Hub at 25th, a place-based health initiative located in the East End at Nine Mile Road and 25th Street, is seeking a Community Health Worker. The primary responsibility of the Community Health Worker will be to facilitate navigation to organizational resources in the community and engage partners in community engagement in the East End. This role requires independent performance of a variety of complex program support and educational duties, involving interpretation and judgment in service. The Community Health Worker will be based at the VCU Health Hub at 25th and will report to the Executive Director of the VCU Health Hub at 25th. The VCU Health Hub at 25th is part of the division of Community Engagement.

Mission: The Community Health Worker position at the VCU Health Hub at 25th is part of a collaborative effort with VCU Health, diverse faculty disciplines, healthcare providers, community partners, students, and stakeholders. The mission is to provide equitable services, mutually-beneficial programming, and high-impact research to improve the health and wellbeing of the East End community.

Vision: Our vision is to become the central hub for innovative community-engaged partnerships, impactful research, health and wellness services, team science, and high-impact experiential learning. Our explicit goal is to address social determinants of health, reduce health disparities, and improve the health and wellbeing of the East Community.

Guiding Values: Our guiding values revolve around integrating health equity as a core actionable framework in delivering health and wellness services, programming, research, education, and evaluation. We prioritize community engagement as an integral part of our approach and emphasize the importance of partnerships to enhance community health and wellness. We operate on the principle of reciprocity, ensuring that projects and activities facilitated by the VCU Health Hub at 25th benefit all parties involved, meeting the standard of mutual benefit.

Responsibilities:

Resource Navigation & Educational Program Support:

• Conduct client intake interviews, securing and verifying personal, financial, demographic, and medical history information to determine eligibility for programs.
• Refer and navigate clients to partner organizations and community resources.
• Answer program-related questions and provide links to internal/external programming.
• Schedule clients, obtain consent forms, and complete associated documentation.
• Facilitate and/or support educational sessions with partners in the Health Hub space.
• Verify services rendered and schedule follow-up visits to the Health Hub.
• Document all interactions and activities in the electronic health record and/or Unite Virginia referral database.
• Support and promote research initiatives.

Customer Service:

• Provide courteous, friendly, and helpful services to all clients.
• Respond to negative feedback with positive active listening, using a calm, patient, non-condescending tone, and a solution-oriented approach.
• Encourage client feedback and use language appropriate to the client's understanding.
• Respond to phone calls by the end of the next workday, providing accurate and timely answers to client inquiries.
• Offer alternative resources when unable to directly meet a client's needs.

Community Engagement:

• Engage partners to foster and leverage relationships, linking clients to available resources.
• Promote and support initiatives aligned with the division of community engagement’s strategic plan
• Work closely with other outreach workers and community partners to support the health and wellbeing of East End residents

Medicaid/CHIP Outreach:

• Provide informational resources such as Medicaid/CHIP applications and descriptions of the eligibility determination process and program services and benefits.
• Offer these resources to the general public, including potential beneficiaries.

Medicaid/CHIP Eligibility Facilitation:

• Provide information to potential Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries regarding eligibility requirements.
• Facilitate the enrollment process into the appropriate Medicaid/CHIP programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience working with low-income, disadvantaged, or vulnerable populations.

Experience and high comfort level with door-to-door outreach directly in low-income communities.

Experience in the medical field.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Excellent customer service skills and experience.

Proficient and timely organizational skills.

Proficiency in word processing, Excel, and data entry using a computer.

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in a health and human services field.

Community Health Worker certification.

1-2 years of experience as a Community Health Worker.

Experience working with the Unite Us referral database.

Experience working with the REDCap database.

Experience working in the East End of Richmond.

The VCU Health Hub at 25th is committed to fostering health equity, engaging the community, and providing high-quality services. As a Community Health Worker, you will play a crucial role in improving health and well-being in the East End community through your dedication and commitment.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Salary Range: $40,000-$42,000

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications for the Community Health Worker position. It may be subject to change based on organizational needs and priorities.